Megajoules to Kilocalories

Convert megajoules (MJ) to kilocalories (kcal). Type a value below to see the result update instantly. Reference table and formula included.

Calculator

Megajoules

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Kilocalories

kcal

1 MJ = 239.01 kcal

Megajoules to Kilocalories Conversion Table

Common values, ready to copy:

megajoules	kilocalories
1 MJ	239.01 kcal
2 MJ	478.01 kcal
5 MJ	1195.03 kcal
10 MJ	2390.06 kcal
25 MJ	5975.14 kcal
50 MJ	11950.29 kcal
100 MJ	23900.57 kcal
1,000 MJ	239005.74 kcal

Formula

kilocalories = megajoules × 2.39005736e+2

Energy uses the SI joule. Food calories (kcal) are 1,000 small calories: 1 kcal = 4,184 J. 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ = 3,600,000 J. 1 BTU = 1,055.06 J.

About Megajoules and Kilocalories

Megajoules (MJ): A million joules; the unit for larger-scale energy quantities. Common uses: Daily food intake (a typical adult consumes 8-10 MJ per day), fuel energy content (gasoline ≈ 34 MJ per liter), and industrial energy.

Kilocalories (kcal): A thousand small calories, or about 4,184 J; this is what 'calories' means on US food labels. Common uses: Food energy labeling in the US (a 'Calorie' on a US food label is a kilocalorie), nutrition tracking, and exercise energy expenditure.

How the conversion works

Energy uses the SI joule. Food calories (kcal) are 1,000 small calories: 1 kcal = 4,184 J. 1 kWh = 3.6 MJ = 3,600,000 J. 1 BTU = 1,055.06 J.

The exact relationship is kilocalories = megajoules × 2.39005736e+2, which the calculator at the top of this page applies in both directions. Type into either field and the other updates immediately.

When this conversion matters

Converting between megajoules and kilocalories comes up wherever energy measurements move between systems — from one country's conventions to another's, from a scientific reference to a practical specification, or from one industry's working unit to another's. The calculator and reference table above cover the everyday range; for unusual values you can type any number into either field.